Prevalence of artifacts in cone beam computed tomography that interfere with diagnosis in dentoalveolar surgery

Abstract

Introduction: An artifact refers to a distortion of the resulting image that is not compatible with the anatomical area studied. It can be due to multiple reasons inherent to the equipment, the patient, or interactions between them. They are classified according to their origin and are usually observed in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans as hypodense or hyperdense images, which can interfere with the interpretation of images in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plan.  Objective: To establish the prevalence of artifacts in CBCT that interfere with the diagnosis in dentoalveolar surgery. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study where 274 CBCT scans in adults were analyzed, obtained from the Department of Dentistry of the Centro Médico Docente La Trinidad, in the period January-March 2025, of which 83 were taken according to the inclusion criteria. Results: The artifacts found were: presence of foreign body/medical material, motion, and incomplete projection. The beam hardening artifact was present in all the CBCT scans studied, while no equipment-related artifact was found. Conclusion: Knowing which artifacts occur most frequently allows the professional to identify them more easily, favoring a more accurate and individualized diagnosis and treatment plan for each case.